Skip to main content

A caller says that he’s from the government and your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended. He sounds very professional. So you should do exactly what he says to fix things…right?

Wrong.

The FTC has gotten reports about scammers trying to trick people out of their personal information by telling them that they need to “reactivate” their supposedly “suspended” SSNs. The scammers say the SSN was suspended because of some connection to fraud or other criminal activity. They say to call a number to clear it up – where they’ll ask you for personal information.

Thing is, Social Security numbers do not get suspended. This is just a variation of a government imposter scam that’s after your SSN, bank account number, or other personal information. In this variation of the scheme, the caller pretends to be protecting you from a scam while he’s trying to lure you into one.

Here are a few tips to protect yourself:

  • Never give out or confirm personal information over the phone, via email or on a website until you’ve checked out whoever is asking you for it.
  • Do not trust a name, phone number, or email address just because it seems to be connected with the government. Con artists use official-sounding names and may fake caller ID or email address information to make you trust them. Besides, the government normally contacts people by postal mail.
  • Contact government agencies directly, using telephone numbers and website addresses you know to be legitimate.

If someone has tried to steal your personal information by pretending to be from the government, report it to the FTC.

 

Search Terms
scam
Topics
Credit, Loans, and Debt
Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Don't use your…
June 17, 2019
We got 5 called this morning and two last night saying that the as number was suspended 510-112-7273
lizbeth
June 17, 2019
I have been getting numerous calls today (JUNE 17,2019) saying that my SSN has been suspended. Posting down the numbers below: +1 (510) 112-7262 +1 (510) 112-7268 +1 (510) 112-7271 I had to click 1 to find the exact reason for this activity, but I hung up before that. I am aware that it is a scam, but it's really annoying because I am getting these calls continuously. Please do NOT go further or give any personal information.
A Aston
June 17, 2019
They are harassing me ! When I block them, a new number calls with the same recording about my social security card being suspended ! Totally harassing me now ! Leaving several messages over and over again !
Sussy
June 17, 2019
I have received phone call from these numbers, never answered but got the voice messages 410-965-6882 844-343-8080 877-512-3848 646-112-3444 The robot said that my SSN was suspended, I called directly to the SSA office and told me they don't suspend SSN. Scam!! be careful.!
mc1984
June 17, 2019
Received similar phone call as others, from Dept of SSA saying suspicious activity and they are suspending my SS#. The phone number was 1-657-622-4194.
Page261
June 17, 2019
4159601290 This number called and said my social security is on hold and that someone tried to use my number. They said that my number was use for a register car that was found in the border of Mexico and US. That it was a rental car and that it had drugs in it. That by the end of the day I’ll no longer be able to use my number anymore. I completely freaked out and started asking questions to a women that barley spoke English. They had asked personal questions and the only thing that was given was my name. They didn’t ask for my birthday or anything. I just looked up the number and it can still no longer be found.
Leokat
June 18, 2019
I received this same call today. I didn’t answer but they left a voicemail stating my number has been suspended. This call came from California. 323-218-7196. This is not the first call I’ve gotten like this. I reported it on the SSA website.
Rmu3
June 18, 2019
Thank you for info on SS# scam, that is what I thought and never responded or even finished listening.
Disneylove
June 18, 2019
Yup I just recieved a call as well. Didnt buy it for a minute, but i can see how someone may have.
Sdl123
June 18, 2019
A recording in a female tone "robotic or electronic"? Claim to be from the social security administration and she is letting me know that my social security number is being suspended by the"law enforcement agencies" Call back before anything "bad" happens. Most people know these calls are fake, but not everyone. I would hate to see someone scammed and I am writing this to help increase awareness, hopefully.
SK
June 18, 2019
I received two calls today from 510 1127410 and 510 1127325, which I didn’t attend. They went to my voice mail. They were same pre recorded messages saying that my SSN is suspended because there was an unusual activity. If you wanna know more about this, press 1. I was like this must be one of those scam calls that people receive. It turns out that it is! Beware!
jstme
June 19, 2019
Got 2 calls today from a 510-112-7404 and 7419 Interesting how the recording said my SSN was “suspend” (not suspended) Hung up and blocked..
torrentrain
June 19, 2019
scam about my social be suspended if i don't take action, here is # the call came from 888-561-5387. glad i found this page.
Thom
June 19, 2019
Thank you for your quote clear and direct answer to this ridiculous question. But it’s true, they do and at least tried with me. Left a message blah blah blah, and I said what I never heard of anything like this. Just block the number and don’t answer or reply. Like someone out of the blue is just gonna call you like that. I was looking also to see if there was a way to report the number itself, but it’s okay. Thank you, you need an answer that makes sense, look no further than the US Government, because that’s who should and will give you the answer that you need. Thank you and have a safe day!
Johnn
June 19, 2019
Just got a call from 18006418989 saying my ssn is suspended
Jan
June 21, 2019

In reply to by Johnn

5101127822 called me twice this morning. scammers!
CindyS
June 19, 2019
I never received one of these fraudulent calls regarding Social Security until I set up MY Social Security online. The very next day I had one on my phone. The breach is with the Social Security website. I don't believe in coincidences. I received another today.
keltoid
June 20, 2019

In reply to by CindyS

SAME HERE, CindyS. My husband is applying for Medicare but I used my cell #, now we're inundated.
Lg
June 19, 2019
I got the same call today from 315 215 1969. Blocked it..
anon
June 19, 2019
I have received 4 calls (voice mail, since my phone blocks all calls except from my contacts) from 3 different - almost the same - numbers all within a 2 hour time frame. All allegedly from the Social Security Administration with the same message that my social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. And my co-worker just got one from an 800 number at the same time! They are on a roll! 510-112-7497 510-112-7482 510-112-7476 Watch out!
vchitty
June 19, 2019
Just received a call saying my ssn was suspended because of fraud, ha ha ha and the knuckleheads used a computer generated voice with the call originating in Hanoi Vietnam??? A damn communist country that we fought in war!
Gmakk
June 19, 2019
I’m new to this and I got a call from this number 1 855 820 7481 saying my social security number is suspended. Is that number a scammer? Please help me.
DN
June 20, 2019
This phone call @718-521-4451 left message saying my SSN had been suspended! fake.
Mr. Aloha!
June 20, 2019
I just got that call AGAIN today from the number of 443-973-7888. I called the number back and the india accented man was hard to understand but I knew it was a scam. I feel bad for those people who do not recognize that this is scam and get pulled in.
impalaed209
June 20, 2019
I received the same scam call 2 times today both times I answered as if it was our local Police Department they hung up on me instantly
Cac
June 21, 2019
4 calls yesterday ! started again this morning this time I did press one and with a heavy accent I told him I did not have a Social Security card and that I was an illegal alien they hung up very quickly!
dlawrenceb
June 21, 2019
They are still at it. Received just such a robocall today (21June2019) from 800-205-9320.
not happy
June 21, 2019
I have been receiving these calls on land line and cell for 4 days at least 2x a day how can this be stopped?
IHateSpamCalls
June 21, 2019
Received TWO calls today saying the same thing. 877-331-4699 and 800-489-4546. Didn't answer either call, nor am I calling them back.
melro
June 21, 2019
The FTC "says..." I get so tired of hearing that over and over again. How about the FTC does! How about putting these criminals behind bars (no fines!) for a few years. That would mean something, simply saying it's a scam won't stop the problem!
I want to help…
June 21, 2019
What do you need to help stop the "social security # suspended" call. 855-741-2511 called my cell phone today. I do not talk or say anything and it eventually hangs up. How can we help catch these people who scam?
Saranya
June 24, 2019
Got a robo call from 1(877)-713-7122
Patty
June 24, 2019
Yes I got two one was 18775275754 Then the other was 18775312700.
Tired of the calls
June 24, 2019
Got another call from 1 800 743 0918 recorded message saying that my SSN has been suspended. Getting really tired of all the stupid calls
Moira
June 24, 2019
There was a robotic woman's voice calling through the number +12347598116 repeating that the Inspector General of the SSA had suspended my number for no reason and it was their final warning (no calls previously). So +12347598116 is a scam robocall number.
Scamcalled
June 24, 2019
Just received this call from 1-816-821-0365 Kansas City Mo
Cody
June 24, 2019
I got the same call twice today. CallApp caller ID says they're spoofing from the actual SSA office. Middle eastern man answers the phone, asks what he can do for me, then says he's suspending my ssn. So I laughed hysterically. He makes an empty threat, and I hang up on him. Strange thing is, he has my actual name.
Rachel from Portland
June 24, 2019
THANK YOU everyone for posting. Very helpful. My call from male robot voice telling me to press 1 because my SS# had been suspended for suspicious activity was from 1-813-474-9898.
TZRL
June 25, 2019
So I just recieved a call from tennessee with a number that goes +16156579058. I received the same type of message but I have never really experienced this , so I actually did click one, a guy spoke and asked for my name.....I dont know why I actually went and said my name, but after I said it, he hung up......I dont know what a name alone could do but should I be worried? Only the name was given out
emil
June 25, 2019

In reply to by TZRL

My dad gave his name also, same situation as you. They can get that info very easy by just your phone number. Don’t think you two have to worry. NEVER give out any information
123
June 25, 2019
Just got a call from (866) 887-8997. Told me to press 1 as well. I did and they answered / heard some yelling and I hung up. Glad I found this site.
Queenie
June 25, 2019
This was the message left on my VM and the number was from Tennessee. ‭+1 (615) 657-9051‬ “This call is from the Department of Social Security administration and the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because found some _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ about this case just press one thank you…”
Just another p…
June 25, 2019
Just received a call from 1-615-657-9059 (Tennessee), I let it goes to my voicemail. The caller left a message similar to many of comment display here.
Don't use your…
June 25, 2019
6156572258 from ashland city
Jas k
June 25, 2019
I just got a call about the same today from + +0000000000 number and then I asked them for a number for me to call back and I thought it was a scam but had not read up about it. The guy on the other side with a thick accent said it’s the number that he called from and then pretty much hung up. Hopefully they will leave me alone now!!
Scovel11
June 25, 2019
Add 1 (615) 657-5258 to the growing list of scammers. Got a robo-message claiming my SS number had been suspended due to fraudulent activity. Have no idea how these jerks get away with this.
Erin boisse
June 25, 2019
The samething happened to me twice two times the fake social scerity leaving a voicemail
Dee 123
June 25, 2019
346-285-7608 I got called 3 times today from this number to tell me my ssn was suspended. I have been called in the past from a different number which I blocked so now they call from the above number. Very annoying. Something needs to be done about these scam calls.
emil
June 25, 2019
Was given a legitimate Social Security number to call back. Told me that my number was being stopped because of strange activity. Was asked my name but then they hung up. I called the number they gave which was a legitimate number. 18774053568
base
June 26, 2019
Add 877 242 5882 and 877 965 7520 to the Scam numbers.
Return to top